Written Answers Nos. 188 - 193
188. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to calls from large sections of the Irish people to grant them the opportunity to enshrine in the Constitution public ownership of Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42327/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 1024 and 1057 of 4 November. I will keep the provisions of the Water Services Acts in relation to the critically important issue of public ownership of Irish Water under review.
189. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding technology and related devices available for purchase which enable householders to record or verify the total water usage in a house (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42341/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no devices commercially available for purchase that would enable a householder to remotely read their water meter. The meter can, of course, be read manually by removing the boundary box lid and frost plug and reading the numeric flow register on the meter which records the cumulative usage. Water meter reading on behalf of Irish Water will be carried out using a receiver in the meter reader’s van as it drives by. Only the serial number and the meter read are transmitted and collected and all signals are encrypted and can only be decrypted by Irish Water’s software. Meter readings that are significantly higher than estimated household usage indicate that there is leakage on the customer-side of the meter. Irish Water’s meters are fitted with leak alarms that will indicate if this is the case.
The CER is currently finalising with Irish Water the details of a “First Fix Free” policy on which they will undertake a public consultation shortly. The intention is to have initial works commence in January 2015. If a customer disputes the metered usage, Irish Water will facilitate testing of water meters upon request from the customer as provided for in the Customer Handbook and Water Charges Plan approved by CER. The CER and Irish Water have also agreed to enter into a voluntary ‘Dispute Resolution Agreement’ which will set out agreed working arrangements and processes to deal with customer disputes. If the meter is found to be faulty (excluding damage caused by the customer) then Irish Water will not charge the cost of the meter inspection and testing to the customer and will repair or replace the faulty meter at no cost to the customer.
190. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason the Tidy Towns unit has relocated to County Sligo; the expense and cost associated with this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42349/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works leased buildings in Tubbercurry, Co Sligo, on a temporary basis, for the former Department of Community , Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (CEGA). Those offices were provided as an advance office for the decentralisation of that former Department to Charlestown, Co. Mayo. Following a reconfiguration of Government Departments, the Community Division of CEGA transferred to my Department in May 2011.
Following a review of the Decentralisation Programme conducted by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in 2012, the Government decided to consolidate my Department’s business operations in the North West, including the Tidy Towns Unit, in existing Government offices in Ballina, Co Mayo.
191. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide facilities for drinking water and address the issue of a lead crisis problem at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42385/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 577, 581, 558 and 559 of 21 October 2014. The position is unchanged.
